sunday morning
2:30 am
4 girls
ages 18, 18, 15, 14
out driving
i don't know why
drove out onto a highway
t-boned by another car
4 friends in that car, too
3 girls and a guy
ages 24, 26, 27 and 31
the 15 year-old died
one 18 year-old and the 31 year-old are in critical condition
what's there to be out for at 2:30 in the morning?
especially for a 14 year-old and a 15 year-old
Why OH Why weren't they tucked up in bed
with the covers up to their pretty little chins
why oH WHY
15
8 + 7 = 15
you know what i'm thinking
my 8 year-old with a pretty little chin
i hug her extra tight
and drop a kiss as i pull the covers up to that pretty little chin
stay home with me, little girl,
stay
and when you are older and you do go,
make good choices while you are away,
call me,
just to say hello
so i know how you are
or if it gets too late
or if you are worried
call me
i will come get you
always
any time
i will come for you
i want 8 + 7 x 7 for you
i want sunshine for you
i want for you to be mama
i want you to know tucking the covers up
close to your own little girl with a pretty little chin
and maybe i'll just say
no
gently, firmly
stay
oh, mamas
i'd so much rather be the mama who said
no
than the mama who screams
NOOOOOO
when it's too late
and i can think of more than one no
that i am grateful for
sometimes
another word for love
is firmly, gently
no